Mahabharata — Svargarohana Parva, Shloka 20
रूपवान् सुभगो दान्त: सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रिय: । दानमानगृहीतश्न कार्यो भवति वाचक:
rūpavān subhago dāntaḥ satyavādī jitendriyaḥ | dānamānagṛhītaś ca kāryo bhavati vācakaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: “Ang may kagandahang-anyô at mabuting kapalaran, marunong magpigil, nagsasabi ng katotohanan, at may paghahari sa mga pandama—ang gayong pantas, kapag pinararangalan at sinusuportahan sa pamamagitan ng kaloob at paggalang, ay dapat italagang tagapagbigkas (vācaka).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a public expounder/reciter of sacred narrative should be ethically qualified—truthful, disciplined, and self-mastered—and that society should support such a person with gifts and honor, linking moral authority with responsible patronage.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a normative guideline is stated: the proper person to be installed as a vācaka (reciter of śāstra/itihāsa) is one marked by virtue and self-restraint, and he should be formally encouraged through respect and material support.